Editorial: Memorial site reflects humanity

July 31, 2009|By AMANDA TRACY (July 30, 2009)

A large cross greets you as you enter a small stone parking lot. As you approach the memorial, a feeling of anxiety is soon replaced with a strange sense of calmness. Although many visitors walk around observing the memorial, the site is quiet and peaceful.

A respectful silence fills the air and you get an immediate sense of unity. Women bow their heads crying while their husbands comfort them, and you become overwhelmed with the warming feeling that we are all more alike than we are different. People have visited the Flight 93 Memorial site from all over the world. License plates from Texas, Montana, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, and many other states line the large chain linked fence.

Most of these visitors have no personal ties with the passengers of Flight 93, yet that natural human empathy has lead them here to pay their respects.

Many mothers and fathers bring their children to the 93 Memorial as well. What happened on Sept. 11, 2001, will forever be a part of our history. Parents want their children to experience these events and form an understanding of what those brave passengers endured for our country.

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Diana Tate brought her family, along with a very special guest to visit the 93 Memorial for the first time. Tate and her children were joined by their special friend Jahssiah, from New York City. He is staying with the Tate family through the Fresh Air Fund, which is a non profit agency that provides country experiences for New York City Children. Tate explained, “Jahssiah has been to the site in New York but he did not know that there was a flight that went down in Pennsylvania. He was happy that the plane didn’t hit a building like the ones in New York.” Jahssiah seemed to understand the sacrifice the passengers of Flight 93 made that day, “I think it’s nice that they made this and that those people saved our country,” Jahssiah explained. Tate was also moved by the memorial, she commented, “I was overwhelmed with emotion because I watched the planes fly into the towers live that morning. It seems to bring all of those initial emotions back.” This was a common feeling among many of the visitors.

Shawn Blackman of Pittsburgh took time out of his schedule to visit the Flight 93 Memorial for his second time. Blackman referred to Sept. 11 as “our generation’s rendition of Pearl Harbor.” He explained that he, along with our ancestors who fought the same type of battle back in 1941, were left asking the same question, “how could this have happened?”

It is tough to imagine a strong nation like the United States over looking such a harsh tragedy. But, Blackman seemed to be impressed by the strong sense of unity from the visitors at the memorial, “I am amazed by all of the belongingd left behind,” Blackman said. Blackman was referring to the large number of memorial stones, hats, shirts, flags, jewelry, angels, teddy bears and toys that encompassed the site.

Although there is a large national park planned for the memorial, many of the local citizens seem to think the site is perfect as is. Carol Rosemeyer, originally from Pittsburgh but currently a citizen of Somerset, appreciates the “stillness and peacefulness” of the site.

“I enjoy the memorial, I don’t want to see this turned into some strip mall,” she said. The 93 memorial is a personal experience, and many of the visitors had this same reaction. Many of the visitors were left wondering if the new construction plans would take away from the intimate feel of the site.

Regardless to the feature of the memorial, one element will remain the same, the overwhelming sense of unity that takes place there. Most people fly through their days just trying to accomplish all their own personal tasks, very rarely taking the time to think about the person walking past them on the street. It is refreshing to know that underneath those harsh exteriors, there lies a compassion for the fellow man. The mmorial is a perfect place to experience such humanity. The site is a sure indication that humans are sympathetic beings, and that unity over comes individuality. A red hat hanging brightly from the large chain-linked fence states it best, “You can take our bodies, but you’ll never take our spirit! God Bless America!”.